SALT LAKE CITY – The mayor of Salt Lake City announced a new plan Thursday designed to help create affordable housing options in the city, and the 5-year initiative aims to create or preserve 5,000 affordable homes.

Mayor Ralph Becker announced the “5,000 Doors” initiative Thursday, which would address the housing needs of low wage workers, moderate income families, persons with disabilities and those who are on fixed incomes.

“With increasing disparities in income, the housing costs compared to people’s income makes housing less and less affordable for people who are in lower-income ranges,” Becker said.

Becker made his remarks while at the Liberty Village in Sugar House, which is a new affordable housing development. But not all of the homes in the initiative will be new. Becker said the city plans to find older residences that aren’t up to code, which they will then fix up and make available to those who qualify.

A press release from Salt Lake City stated, “the initiative will support Salt Lake City residents with a range of incomes, from very low-income residents to the middle class.” The website for the initiative states the project will be achieved via public-private partnerships and through cooperation between Salt Lake City and community partners.

To learn more about 5,000 Doors, click here. You can also see below for a graphic from that website breaking down some of the specifics of the initiative.